§ 39 and 40. Mr. Leslieasked the Minister of War Transport (1) whether he will provide omnibus facilities to enable girls to travel from Ferryhill and Merrington to the Royal Ordnance factory at Spennymoor in time to commence work at 7.30 a.m., and an omnibus service back to Ferryhill at 5 p.m.;
1739 (2) whether he is aware that the girls employed in the Royal Ordnance factory, Spennymoor, coming from Ferryhill and Merrington, are constantly late in arriving at the factory in the morning owing to the inadequate bus service; and why a licence has been withheld from a local firm willing to run a workmen's service.
§ Mr. BarnesNo road service licence has been withdrawn, but the number of vehicles engaged on contract services on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and Aircraft Production under an assisted travel scheme has been reduced in the process of closing down the Royal Ordnance factory. Existing local services cannot be adapted to provide for this traffic, but I understand that a local operator has offered to provide a suitable service if the employers concerned will guarantee a minimum receipt per day.
§ Mr. LeslieIs my right hon. Friend aware that something like 300 girls are concerned, and will he agree that a licence should be given to local firms who are prepared to put a workmen's bus on
| — | December. | January. | February. | March. |
| (a) From India, Burma and Far East to the United Kingdom. | 32.4 | 24.4 | 23.5 | 23.4 |
| (b) From India and Burma to East and West Africa. | 12.4 | 16.4 | 16.4 | 18.2 |
§ My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that special shipping is being used until the end of this year in order to embark the large number of men who are already due for return to this country but were delayed in India.